Our View: Release details of the Sandy Hook shooting

This morning we add our voice, along with many others, in calling for a release of the information gathered thus far in the investigation of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting

The Bulletin

Writer

Posted Mar. 26, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 26, 2013 at 12:41 PM

Posted Mar. 26, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 26, 2013 at 12:41 PM

Norwich, Conn.

This morning we add our voice, along with many others, in calling for a release of the information gathered thus far in the investigation of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown on Dec. 14.

We appreciate the painstaking efforts of law enforcement officials in thoroughly reviewing every piece of evidence gathered so that a final comprehensive report can be assembled that answers, to the best of anyone’s ability, all the questions being asked about how and why this tragic event unfolded.

But apparently State Police Col. Danny Stebbins shared information regarding the investigation and the evidence gathered with other law enforcement officials at a New Orleans conference, information that was later reported in a New York City newspaper, the Daily News.

We find ourselves as frustrated as others and deeply concerned with the amount of information being leaked and reported without any reference or framework in which to measure the validity of those bits and pieces of leaked information.

If the information shared at the conference was deemed not “critically sensitive” enough to maintaining the integrity of the investigation that it could be shared with others not actively involved in the case, where then is the harm in making that information public?

It is unlikely that any arrests will be generated from this investigation given that the shooter is dead, so there is no criminal proceedings that would be jeopardized by the release of the information.

Authorities say a final report will not be finished until at least mid-June, but there is no reason why periodic updates on the investigation cannot be part of the process.

There are those who believe that information can be useful in framing the current legislative debate. Let’s release the information, make that determination of relevance and informed decisions based on the facts. In June, the legislative session will be over.

There is no denying the high level of interest the public has in this matter. That public interest is not being served well by a cloak of secrecy and leaks.